5 Signs Your Car Needs a Brake Repair

More than 300,000 road accidents result from brake failure each year in the US alone. Over 11,000 of these crashes occur in the state of New York. Brakes undergo a lot of wear and can run into trouble without diligent attention and regular servicing. If you notice one of the following issues, it’s best to visit your local Staten Island dealership for brake repair before the problem worsens.

Aging Brake Fluid

Brake fluid is a light transparent yellow liquid when new, similar in appearance to motor oil. Sometimes the additives give it a slight green or blue tint instead of yellow. As it ages, brake fluid picks up dirt and debris and turns brown. When very old, it can even turn black.

As with any fluid in your car, brake fluid loses its function as it ages. If you suspect your brakes are a little soft, check the brake fluid reservoir, which is usually on the master cylinder under your hood. If the fluid inside is dirty, consider having it flushed.

Refresh Brake Fluid at Your Nearest Jeep Dealership

Brake fluid should usually be flushed and refreshed every two years. But if you use your brakes more than most drivers, you might need to have your fluid renewed once a year.

Brake-heavy driving conditions include mountainous terrain, hilly terrain with winding roads, heavy urban traffic, and towing or carrying heavy loads. And some drivers simply have the habit of using their brake pedals excessively.

Leaking Brake Fluid

If you notice your brake fluid is suspiciously low, you might have a leak. Leaking fluid can rapidly diminish the stopping power of your brakes, putting you and your passengers in danger.

You can examine your wheel wells and undercarriage for signs of a leak. Run a clean rag over surfaces to see if it comes away stained by an oily yellow or brown fluid. Also, check the ground under your vehicle for puddles of dripping fluid.

Squeaking Brake Pads

Brake pads typically last 20,000 to 40,000 miles, depending on how much you use them. Pads become noisy when they’re almost completely worn out. They emit a squeaking, screeching sound that means it’s time for a new brake pad.

Vibrating Rotor Discs

Rotor discs steadily become thinner over time and can eventually start to warp out of shape. This will reduce your braking function and create vibrations that you might feel through the brake pedal.

Clattering Calipers

The calipers that clamp the brake pads onto the rotor discs can occasionally get a stone or loose pin or clip trapped in the mechanism. This will create clattering, grinding sounds. You’ll most likely need a technician to dismantle the caliper and fish out the loose object.

Visit Island Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM today to have your brakes examined and fixed. The qualified, knowledgeable professionals at our dealership strive to provide the region’s best vehicles, deals, and customer service.

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